Rise Up and Serve. This is the name of the new campaign launched by Eddie Long through New Birth Baptist Church. Members are being asked to donate 2.5 hours per month of community service throughout the end of year, win 2 souls per month to Christ, and invite 2 people per month to New Birth.

If successful, the campaign could positively impact the community and help boost the rapidly declining membership numbers at Long's church. Back in March, official news reports showed that New Birth was forced to lay off employees and cut staff salaries by 10 percent.

An official statement said "New Birth and its faith community have been impacted by the nationwide downturn in the economy." Speculation is that attendance has been negatively impacted because of the public sex scandal.

Bishop Eddie Long Launces "Rise Up and Serve" CampaignNew Initiative Could Help Community & Boost Declining Numbers

The four young men who accused Long of coercing them into inappropriate sexual acts, have nearly reached a settlement with the Georgia pastor. For those giving Long the benefit of the doubt, the news of his decision to mediate with his accusers in February, instead of fighting them as he vowed he would when the allegations were first made, has raised more than a few eyebrows. Yet, Long doesn't seem phased by it all.

"You ain't messin' with me. I shall rise again, and I ain't going through this," Long boldly preached during one of several sermons on Easter Sunday. “You have to go down there and let the devil know that what they thought was gonna kill you, didn't kill you. What they thought was gonna bring terror to you, didn't bring terror to you and you made the enemies public spectacle,” he said.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church did not have its popular Easter service at the Georgia Dome for the third consecutive year, even after holding discussions about a possible return.

Jason Kirksey, a Georgia Dome spokesman said, New Birth did not return because of "economic conditions." He was not at liberty to elaborate further.

BY EEW MAGAZINE NEWS STAFF

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